Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization of Heavy-Metal Contamination in Surface Sediments of the Minho River Estuary by way of Factor Analysis

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Surface sediments were collected in August 2009 from 49 sites along the Minho estuary (between Tui and Caminha) and analyzed for grain size, organic carbon (Corg) and total nitrogen (Ntot) contents, and major (silicon [Si], aluminum [Al], iron [Fe], calcium [Ca], magnesium [Mg], sodium [Na], potassium [K], titanium [Ti], and mangesese [Mn]) and trace element (arsenic [As], chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], mercury [Hg], lithium [Li], lead [Pb], rubidium [Rb], tin [Sn], and zinc [Zn]) concentrations. Factor analysis was used to decrease 22 selected variables into 4 factors accounting for 85.9 % of the total variance explained, suggesting distinct elemental sources or sediment components affecting their spatial distributions. Although factors 1 (detrital component; elements strongly associated with fine- [Na, Mg, Ti, Li, Cr, Cu, Fe, Al, Zn, Ca, and As] and coarse-grained sediments [Si, K, Rb; mean grain-size [MGS]) and 3 (Fe–Mn oxyhydroxide sediment component; Fe, Mn, As, fine fraction) are interpreted as reflecting predominance of natural contributions, factors 2 (urban and industrial contamination: sediment components [Pb, Hg, organic carbon [Corg], total nitrogen [Ntot] and 4 (components associated with contamination by nautical activities; the association of tin [Sn] and calcium [Ca]) seem to indicate anthropogenic contributions). Nevertheless, the influence of elemental contributions derived from tungsten (W)–Sn mineralizations and those resulting from mining activities can also contribute to the obtained geochemical associations and should be considered. Spatial distribution of dominant factor scores shows the dominance of factors 2 and 4 between Tui and Vila Nova de Cerveira, whereas samples dominated by factors 3 and 1 are found between Ilha da Boega and Seixas and in the Caminha areas, respectively. Despite the dominance of factor score 1 in the Caminha area, the distribution pattern of dominant factor scores shows samples dominated by other factor scores that can be explained by dredging activities in this river sector that restore ancient sedimentary characteristics or expose contaminated sediments. Through the identification of sample locations dominated by factors associated with contamination, it will be possible to select them as priority areas where new environmental (e.g., toxicity tests, organic Sn compounds, tracers of sewage contamination) studies should be implemented in the future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aloupi M, Angelidis MO (2002) The significance of coarse sediments in metal pollution studies in the coastal zone. Water Air Soil Pollut 133:121–131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alves AM (1996) Causas e processos da dinâmica sedimentar na evolução actual do litoral do Alto Minho. Doctoral thesis. Universidade do Minho, Portugal

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews JE, Greenaway AM, Dennis PF (1998) Combined carbon isotope and C/N ratios as indicators of source and fate of organic matter in a poorly flushed, tropical estuary: Hunts Bay, Kingston Harbour, Jamaica. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 46:743–756

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balsinha M, Santos AI, Alves AM, Oliveira A (2009) Textural composition of sediments from Minho and Douro estuaries (Portugal) and its relation with hydrodynamics. J Coast Res 56:1330–1334

    Google Scholar 

  • Bettencourt A, Ramos L (eds) (2003) Estuários Portugueses. Instituto da Água, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryan GW, Langston WJ (1992) Bioavailability, accumulation and effects of heavy metals in sediments with special reference to United Kingdom estuaries: a review. Environ Pollut 76:89–131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley D, Smith J, Winters G (1995) Accumulation of contaminant metals in marine sediments of Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia: environmental factors and historical trends. Appl Geochem 10:175–195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conde LN, Pereira V, Ribeiro A, Thadeu D (1971) Jazigos Hipogénicos de Estanho e Volfrâmio. I Congresso Hispano-Luso-Americano de Geologia Económica, Livro Guia Excursão nº7; Direcção-Geral de Minas e Serv Geológ, Lisboa, Portugal, p 42–47

  • De la Rosa JM, Araújo MF, González-Pérez JA, González-Vila FJ, Soares AM, Martins JM et al (2012) Organic matter sources for tidal marsh sediment over the past two millennia in the Minho River estuary (NW Iberian Peninsula). Org Geochem 53:16–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DelValls TA, Forja JM, Gonzalez-Mazo E, Gomez-Parra A, Blasco J (1998) Determining contamination sources in marine sediments using multivariate analysis. Trends Anal Chem 17:181–192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fatela F, Moreno J, Moreno F, Araújo MF, Valente T, Antunes C et al (2009) Environmental constraints of foraminiferal assemblages distribution across a brackish tidal marsh (Caminha, NW Portugal). Mar Micropaleontol 70:70–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Filgueiras A, Lavilla I, Bendicho C (2004) Evaluation of distribution, mobility and binding behaviour of heavy metals in surficial sediments of Louro River (Galicia, Spain) using chemometric analysis: a case study. Sci Total Environ 330:115–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forstner U, Wittmann G (1981) Metal pollution in the aquatic environment. Springer–Verlag, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gielar A, Helios-Rybicka E, Möller S, Einax JW (2012) Multivariate analysis of sediment data from the upper and middle Odra River (Poland). Appl Geochem 27:1540–1545

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon ES, Goñi MA, Roberts QN, Kineke GC, Allison MA (2001) Organic matter distribution and accumulation on the inner Louisiana shelf west of the Atchafalaya River. Cont Shelf Res 21:1691–1721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gouveia A, Araújo MF, Dias JMA (1993) Rare earth element distribution in sediments from the Minho river and estuary (Portugal)—a preliminary study. Chem Geol 107:379–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser H (1960) The application of electronic computers to factor analysis. Educ Psychol Meas 20:141–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karageorgis A, Sioulas A, Krasakopoulou E, Anagnostou C, Hatiris G, Kyriakidou H et al (2012) Geochemistry of surface sediments and heavy metal contamination assessment: Messolonghi lagoon complex, Greece. Environ Earth Sci 65:1619–1629

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loureiro J, Machado M, Macedo M, Nunes M, Botelho O, Sousa M et al (1986) Monografias hidrológicas dos principais cursos de água de Portugal continental. Direcção-Geral dos Recursos e Aproveitamentos Hidráulicos, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • Maze RA, Lastra M, Mora J (1993) Macrozoobentos del estuário del Miño (NO de España). Publ Espec Inst Esp Oceanogr 11:283–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Mecray E, ten Brink Buchholtz M (2000) Contaminant distribution and accumulation in the surface sediments of Long Island Sound. J Coastal Res 16:575–590

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyers P (1994) Preservation of elemental and isotopic source identification of sedimentary organic matter. Chem Geol 114:289–302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mil-Homens M, Branco V, Lopes C, Vale C, Abrantes F, Boer W et al (2009) Using factor analysis to characterise historical trends of trace metal contamination in a sediment core from the Tagus Prodelta, Portugal. Water Air Soil Pollut 197:277–287

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mil-Homens M, Costa AM, Fonseca A, Trancoso MA, Lopes C, Serrano R et al (in press) Natural heavy metal and metalloid concentrations in sediments of the Minho River estuary (Portugal): baseline values for environmental studies. Environ Monit Assess. doi:10.1007/s10661-012-2996-z

  • Neiva AMR (2002) Portuguese granites associated with Sn–W and Au mineralizations. Bull Geol Soc Finl 71:79–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Nriagu JO (1996) A history of global metal pollution. Science 272:223–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paiva PC, Araújo MF, Dias JA, Jouanneau J-M (1993) Distribuição elementar em sedimentos do rio Minho. Actas do II Congresso de Geoquímica dos Países de Língua Portuguesa, Memórias do Museu e Laboratório de Mineralogia e Geologia do Porto 3:561–566

  • PBH (2001) Plano de Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Minho, Relatório Final, Ministério do Ambiente e do Ordenamento do Território, Instituto da Água, IP

  • Reis P, Antunes JC, Almeida C (2009a) Metal levels in sediments from the Minho estuary salt marsh: a metal-clean area? Environ Monit Assess 159:191–205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reis JL, Martinho AS, Pires-Silva A, Silva AJ (2009b) Assessing the influence of the river discharge on the Minho estuary tidal regime. J Coast Res 56:1405–1409

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos S, Vilar V, Alves P, Boaventura R, Botelho C (in press) Water quality in Minho/Miño River (Portugal/Spain). Environ Monit Assess. doi:10.1007/s10661-012-2789-4

  • Schlee JS (1973) Atlantic continental shelf and slope of the United States—sediment texture of the northeastern part. United Stated Geographical Survey Professional Paper 529-L

  • Shepard FP (1954) Nomenclature based on sand-silt-clay ratios. J Sediment Petrol 24:151–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh N, Turner A (2009) Trace metals in antifouling paint particles and their heterogeneous contamination of coastal sediments. Mar Pollut Bull 58:559–564

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soto-Jimenez M, Paez-Osuna F (2001) Distribution and normalization of heavy metal concentrations in mangrove and lagoonal sediments from Mazatlan Harbor (SE Gulf of California). Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 53:259–274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sousa R, Guilhermino L, Antunes JC (2005) Molluscan fauna in the freshwater tidal area of the River Minho estuary, NW of Iberian Peninsula. Ann Limnol Int J Limnol 41:141–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taborda R, Dias JMA (1991) Análise da sobre elevação do nível do mar de origem meteorológica durante os temporais de 1978 e 1981. Geonovas 1:89–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Teixeira C, Assunção C (1961) Sheet 1-C, Caminha, geological chart of Portugal, 1:50.000, Serviços Geológicos de Portugal, Lisboa, Portugal

  • Thornton S, McManus J (1994) Application of organic carbon and nitrogen stable isotope and C/N ratios as source indicators of organic matter provenance in estuarine systems: evidence from the Tay Estuary, Scotland. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 38:219–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Valente T, Leal Gomes C (2001) Tipologia de impacte ambiental associado à actividade extractiva no Minho—Gestão de resíduos e soluções de reabilitação. Geonovas 15:87–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Vilas F, Somoza L (1984) El estuário del Miño: observaciones previas de su dinamica. Thalassas 2:87–92

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Natura Miño-Minho Project (0234 NATURA MIÑO_MINHO_1_E, North Portugal-Galicia Spain Territorial Cooperation Program [POCTEP] 2007–2013). We express our thanks to the crew of the RV Leopard Atlantic for their efficient work during the collection of sediment samples. A special acknowledge to Carlos Antunes for allowing access to the Aquamuseu laboratory (storage and sampling of surface sediments during the Minho09 cruise). Special thanks for all UGM-LNEG collaborators (Ana Aranda, Andreia Rebotim, Catarina Cavaleiro, Célia Santos, Cremilde Monteiro, Daniel Ferreira, Fátima Abrantes, Henrique Duarte, Rúben Borges, Sandra Mateus, Teresa Rodrigues, and Warley Soares) who participated in the Minho09 cruise and help in laboratorial work. We thank two anonymous reviewers for constructive suggestions and comments that improved the original version of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, I.P., Av. Brasília, 1449-006, Lisbon, Portugal

    M. Mil-Homens & C. Lopes

  2. Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P., Unidade de Geologia Marinha, Estrada da Portela, Apartado 7586, 2721-866, Alfragide, Portugal

    M. Mil-Homens, A. M. Costa & C. Lopes

  3. Arqueociências, DGPC and LARC, CIBIO/InBIO, Rua da Bica do Marquês. Nº 2, 1300-087, Lisbon, Portugal

    A. M. Costa

  4. Laboratório de Referência do Ambiente, Núcleo Operacional de Química Inorgânica, Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, I.P., Rua da Murgueira, 9-9A, Zambujal, Apartado 7585, 2611-865, Amadora, Portugal

    S. Fonseca & R. Serrano

  5. Laboratório de Biocombustíveis e Ambiente, Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P., Azinhaga dos Lameiros, 1649-038, Lisbon, Portugal

    M. A. Trancoso & R. Sousa

Authors
  1. M. Mil-Homens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. M. Costa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Fonseca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. A. Trancoso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. Lopes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. Serrano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. R. Sousa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Mil-Homens.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOC 186 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mil-Homens, M., Costa, A.M., Fonseca, S. et al. Characterization of Heavy-Metal Contamination in Surface Sediments of the Minho River Estuary by way of Factor Analysis. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 64, 617–631 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-012-9861-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-012-9861-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation